The Seminary Explores

Dr. Strobert continues the discussion around apocalyptic with Dr. Maria Erling by defining of the term apocalyptic from its biblical roots to its present expression in United States society.   Dr. Erling then moves on to identify events in American history that initiated apocalyptic themes from various denominations.

Dr. Largen continues her discussion with Rev. Shafer as he talks about the interfaith reality in which we live, and the way media technologies—including the news media—can foster both positive and negative attitudes about different religious traditions, including Christianity.

Dr. Largen speaks with Rev. Eric Shafer about the interface between religion and the media, particularly as it relates to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, both past and present.  He describes the historic openness of the Lutheran church to current media technologies, and expresses optimism for the future.

The Poetry + Theology editor for Seminary Ridge Review speaks with Irish poet Micheal O’Siadhail about his friendship with theologians, his poetry, and whether or not faith is a thing to be kept private. O’Siadhail gave a public reading on the Gettysburg Seminary campus as part of his U.S. book tour for Collected Poems (Bloodaxe Books, 2013).

Dr. Christianson speaks with Dr. Baird Tipson, former president of Wittenberg University, Ohio and Washington College, Maryland on the important role that the Liberal Arts College plays in contemporary society despite the emphasis on technical capacities in fields as varied as medicine, law, or computers Technical skills are best learned in the context of the liberal arts which emphasize the whole person, including fundamental questions of who we are as humans, and how best to serve humanity in a changing world. The church continues to have a role in the Liberal Arts College, even though this role is evolving. Perhaps most important, church-related colleges have the opportunity as nowhere else to raise the ultimate question of who we are in relation to God.

Dr. Strobert talks with Dr. Charles Brown, Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics at Payne Theological Seminary about the background, work and continuing legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Dr. Richard Carlson, Glatfelter Professor of Biblical Studies at Gettysburg Seminary, discusses apocalyptic in the New Testament, first by showing how it grew as a response to the failure of wisdom literature (e.g. Proverbs) to satisfy the religious needs of Israel in the century and a half before Jesus. In the New Testament Carlson uses examples from Paul and Mark to show how apocalyptic was changed by the coming of Christ through an emphasis on the “already, but not yet” and on hope for things to come. As a means of understanding evil apocalyptic encourages perseverance in the face of what Paul calls the powers of sin and death and the new life “in Christ.” 

Dr. Strobert speaks with Dr. Eric Crump about the top ten stories in religion for 2013.

The top stories included:

• The resignation of the Pope Benedict
• The election of Pope France and his emphasis on the poor and the reforms in the Curia
• The election of the first woman presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• And more...